REV. ESTELLE MARGARONES: A word to the unchurched on Easter

Easter is this Sunday. If you're not a regular church-goer, you may be considering making the annual trek to church for the holiday. Perhaps you used to go to church, but somewhere along the way you became disenfranchised...or maybe you're just too busy to spend an hour in church. What if you found a place that provided an oasis from your hectic pace and inspired you for the week?

By Rev. Estelle Margarones

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Rev. Estelle Margarones

Posted Mar. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 30, 2013 at 7:04 AM

By Rev. Estelle Margarones

Posted Mar. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 30, 2013 at 7:04 AM

» Social News

Easter is this Sunday. If you're not a regular church-goer, you may be considering making the annual trek to church for the holiday. Perhaps you used to go to church, but somewhere along the way you became disenfranchised...or maybe you're just too busy to spend an hour in church.

What if you found a place that provided an oasis from your hectic pace and inspired you for the week?

Church can add a whole new dimension to your life by providing hope, the single most important commodity in the word today. Church inspires you to live your best life. With a life of faith; you have hope, courage, strength, and guidance. You know that God is steadfastly by your side. When you are grounded in God, you make decisions that are better for you; you have hope in the face of adversity; and you have the joy that comes from knowing that you are loved.

Easter represents transformation, new beginnings, and fresh starts. Easter offers hope for the future. Love and personal sacrifice shine throughout the Easter story.

Perhaps you're thinking of going to church because it's a tradition, you'll be visiting family, or you're on your own and you want a sense of connection. Know that no matter how long you've been away; when you enter a church, you enter God's house--and God joyously welcomes you back home!

So go to church on Easter...and go back after that. Do some 'church shopping'. Look for a church where the pastor's message resonates in your heart; where the community nourishes you; and where your gifts and talents are appreciated and celebrated. There is a church for you no matter how liberal or conservative your views, no matter how traditional or contemporary your style, and no matter what time of the day or day of the week you can go!

It matters that you have a relationship with the Divine and a faith community. It matters to know that you're not alone. It matters to know that, together, we can make the world a more just, more peaceful, more loving place.

Blessings upon your journey.

Rev. Estelle Margarones is the pastor at Pilgrim Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Pilgrim Church offers Sunday worship at 10 a.m. at 24 Athens Street, North Weymouth. Follow her on Twitter @PR4God and visit PilgrimChurchWeymouth.org.